In every industry, employees are becoming more mobile. Cell phones, tablets, and smart watches make it easy to get work done anywhere. Internet-enabled devices are affordable and universal. We probably don’t realize how much we rely on them.
Cloud computing expands access to systems that used to be housed on company servers. When business software is in the cloud—you are not limited by geography.
Savvy business owners take advantage of employee skills and universal access to keep everyone productive.
Your staff members are already using mobile devices to manage their personal lives. Think about it. With our phones, we call an Uber, buy movie tickets, and track our workouts. Our TVs and home security systems are connected to the web. We listen to satellite radio in our cars.
If your business is stuck in 1990, it’s time to catch up. Mobile workforce management systems have never been more affordable or user-friendly.
What Do Mobile Workers Need?
First, you need to identify your mobile employees. It’s pretty obvious that traveling salespeople and delivery drivers fall under this category. Also, service techs and employees who float from location to location. Some employees may work at a satellite office removed from the business headquarters. Perhaps the remote location is a job site for the duration of the project.
What about the employees that come to your office every day? Many of them are probably working at home periodically. Your employees may also attend trade shows or other events throughout the year.
Bottom line; there are many types of mobile associates. You may not think the label applies to your entire workforce. But you probably have some.
Mobile workforce management software can improve efficiency for any of these logistics. The more tools in your system, the more you can accomplish without connecting to a desktop. Here are 3 must-have features of a mobile workforce management system.
1. Mobile Time Tracking
Punch-in and punch-out is priority one. You can’t pay your team members accurately if you don’t track their hours.
Time tracking provides data for several other critical tools. Intelligent clock features prevent common punching errors. Make sure your mobile WFM has an intelligent clock. They react to the employee’s current status. For example, when an employee returns from an unpaid break, they are only given the option to end the break and get back on the clock.
Pinpoint GPS time stamps the precise location of punches. GPS location management can help you avoid costly buddy-punching. It also helps assure you have workers with the necessary qualifications where you need them.
Job coding is a must-have feature. Job tracking matches employee hours to accounts or projects. This simplifies managing multiple clients when each is billed separately. It increases the accuracy of your client billing.
Employee time and attendance is at the heart of mobile WFM.
2. Scheduling
Mobile scheduling is a game changer. It allows your staff to check their schedule on their cell phone. They don’t need to visit a specific terminal, call a manager, or look on a board in the break room.
Scheduling allows managers to build schedules from templates. Your system should automatically alert employees to schedule changes. It should also let workers submit time off requests. When comparing systems, pay attention to these vital tools.
3. Virtual Swap Board
If mobile staff timekeeping and scheduling are in place, you can hit a WFM grand slam. Your mobile WFM software should include a virtual shift swap board.
An online swap board is a manager’s best friend. It gives employees control in managing their schedules.
Employees post shifts they want to trade. They can also bid on open shifts that become available. Managers can monitor and approve all shift trades. There are settings for overtime restriction, coverage gaps, and overstaffing.
Contact Accurate Data Payroll Processing to learn more about mobile workforce management for your business.
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